Glued Laminated Timber in Architecture

Abstract

Structural glued laminated timber (glulam) is an engineered, stress-rated product that consists of two or more layers of lumber (i.e., laminations) glued together with the grain running lengthwise. This article discusses typical shapes and sizes of glulam construction elements and static systems. This paper presents special stress conditions in the apex area of double-tapered beams with varying cross-section, curved and pitched-cambered beams. The results (tensile stresses perpendicular to the grain) obtained by the SAP2000 computer program are shown. In many cases these stresses are the crucial parameter that determines the size of the beam in the apex area. The article discusses the most typical application of glulam elements and analyses its production and use in Slovenia and other EU member states. The study seeks to identify opportunities for increased use of glulam construction in Slovenia.

Keywords

• wood structure
• glued laminated timber (glulam)
• structural elements
• composite